Can I trim the brown tips off?

Yes, you can trim the brown parts with clean scissors. Just be careful not to cut into the healthy green tissue.

Does tap water cause brown tips?

Yes, the chlorine and minerals in tap water can build up in the soil over time. Using filtered or rainwater can help prevent this.

Citrus: brown tips, causes and fixes

Check these first

Check the soil moisture to see if it is too dry.
Examine your fertilizer schedule for signs of overfeeding.
Feel the leaf tips to see if they are brittle.

Likely causes

Salt Accumulation
Most likely
How to tell: The tips turn brown and brittle while the rest of the leaf remains green. This often happens if you use too much fertilizer or have hard tap water.
What to do: Flush the soil by running clean, filtered water through the pot for several minutes. Reduce your fertilizer frequency to once every 6 to 8 weeks during the growing season.
Low Humidity
Possible
How to tell: The tips dry out and turn brown, especially if the tree is kept indoors during winter. The leaves may feel crisp to the touch.
What to do: Place a pebble tray filled with water beneath the pot to increase local humidity. Mist the leaves with water every few days to keep them hydrated.

Brown tips on other plants

Find out what's wrong with your citrus

The list above covers the usual causes. Pocket Botanist looks at a photo of your actual plant and tells you the likely cause, how serious it is, and what to try first. Identification and a health check are free.

When to worry

Worry if the browning spreads toward the center of the leaf or causes significant leaf drop. Minor tip browning is common in indoor citrus trees during the dry winter months.

Stopping it coming back

Use filtered water and flush the soil periodically to prevent mineral salts from building up in the root zone.

Citrus: brown tips? Check yours with a photo

Every plant is a little different. Take a photo of your citrus and Pocket Botanist tells you which cause is most likely, how serious it is, and what to try first. A few checks a day are free. Save the plant and you get care reminders timed for it.

Get the app · Or check it from a photo now, free

Questions people ask

Can I trim the brown tips off?: Yes, you can trim the brown parts with clean scissors. Just be careful not to cut into the healthy green tissue.
Does tap water cause brown tips?: Yes, the chlorine and minerals in tap water can build up in the soil over time. Using filtered or rainwater can help prevent this.

Guides to these causes

Salt Stress

Why are my citrus tree leaves getting brown tips?